It's really worth it to go through an insurance agent, rather than trying to do this on your own. An agent can crunch the numbers and figure out which insurance coverage is the best and most economical FOR HER. They can compare many different companies, and know what to suggest to lower your premiums, if possible. No one company is the best or the lowest costing. And example. We have our auto policy through a fantastic company--very small, most people have never heard of it. They only insure really good drivers, and our rates are extremely low. I've checked over the years, an not even the really cheap, discount companies can come close for us. DD had her insurance with 'our' company, and a couple of years ago, decided she'd like to get a better rate. Called the agent and yep--she found dd a policy with another company that was even cheaper for her. We had them check our coverage with that new company? For us, our original company was still cheaper. There are a lot of variables that go into the rate you end up paying, so it is best to have a pro doing the comparison for you. Also, with an agent, you've got someone to represent you if you do have a problem/claim down the road. If she does choose to do the legwork herself, a couple of tips. Check with the state insurance commission--they can tell you who has the best rates, what companies have the most consumer complaints, etc. And then, once you find a company that sounds good--check to see if they are allowed to write policies in New York state--they have the most stringent insurance regulations, so usually, if a company meets their requirements, they're pretty solid.

Same thing happened to me last year JaneMarie. I switched due to an ad I saw on tv. and I put both our cars and our house together and it cost less than the two cars the previous year. My former agent called me and asked why I switched, I told him I felt he could have done better and that I felt I threw money away. He sheepishly ended the conversation although I still go to him for tax prep and filing. These days you have to take the time to shop around, all my kids switched an other people I've told.

Every state is different, you should check out your states department of insurance website to see which companies write in your state. If you have your home and auto together you will always do better. As for your current policy, this is the one I sell daily, your agent could have just told you going from a multiple car policy to a single car policy is the most expensive one out there. The single remaining car lost the benefit of the 2nd car, it's factored into the household composition and now that premium will increase. I don't mean to be insensitive but if you've recently gone from married to another classification that will also affect the rate. Check to see if they have the preferred package discount - paperless billing, it can add up to 15% discount if your state has it. Not all states have the discount though. If your not happy with your agent, you don't have to stay with them, you can call the general 800 number and request another agent. If you've been with that company for a while you may have things in your policy that you will certainly have to re-establish with a new company. I can tell you more if your interested.

Sometimes brokers, not being tied to one company, can shop around and find better rates than one can get from a tied agent ... and one can check the offerings of the tied agents, as well, (e.g. Allstate, State Farm, etc., I think). Read the contracts carefully, as the coverage may vary substantially, as well. Also, the costs aren't the only consideration ... good idea to ask around among friends to learn what kind of experience one has with various carriers when one makes a claim. Ask friends also about their premium rates - and coverage. Check my Christmas gift. If you could afford to replace your car if it were totalled, you might choose to carry no coverage in case of collision (i.e., that'll fix your car in case of an accident where no one else at fault). My car is 22 years old and I haven't had collision insurance on it for my 2 year ownership ... or on the '93 Taurus that I got about 4 years ago and was totalled within a couple of years (I have "no fault" insurance, so, the reason for the accident having been adjudged to be not my fault, my company paid their evaluated value of that make, model and year of vehicle) or the '90 Dodge Colt that I had for about 7 years ('98 - '05) before that. Have you checked Consumer Reports? Some people swear by their gradings (and I think that some swear at them). Maybe buy a/some share(s) of Berkshire Hathaway "A" or "B": the B shares, 1/30th of the value of the original "A" shares, sell for about $3,300. Then buy your insurance from Geico ... and let some of your premium return to you as profit. Since Berk Hath doesn't pay dividends, you won't have any ongoing income on which you'll need to pay tax (but the share values have grown nicely, over the years: the "A" shares, now selling for around $100,000. could have been bought for about $12.00 in '65, when Warren Buffett took over) and they last paid a dividend of about a dime a share in 1967. Do you have a financial calculator? I figure that that investment of about $35.00 is one of the best investments that we all, as managers of our own private money, should make. When I enter "present value" as "$12" and enter the period of investment as "44 years", then enter "future value" as "$100,000", then ask for the rate of interest/growth involved ... it tells me that the average compound rate of growth has been >22% (if you figure 45 years to next year, it being now so close ... still >22%). To calculate that figure on your regular calculator, enter "1.22 X 12 =" and it will show that after 1 year your value has grown to $14.64. Press "=" again and it will show that after 2 years to $17.86; press "=" again and after 3 years to $21.79. After 11 years - $106.939; after 19 years $524.829; after 23 years $1,162.67; after 31 years $5,706.05; after 34 years $10,361.32 ... ... and after 44 years ... sorry, it appears that I goofed, as it shows a result of only $75.685.637 ... and it makes only $92,336.477 after 45 years, not the $100,000. - but it grows to $112,650.50 after 46 years. So - to grow to $100,000. after 44 years means that the percentage rate was a bit higher than 22%! Not something that you'd complain about, I'll bet! Caution: growth rates of stocks are not smooth: sometimes they grow quickly for a short while, sometimes take a large drop (e.g. over 30% for many during the past year) ... and sometimes drag along for substantial periods with little change. However - you can see what the cost may be of delaying starting an investment program for just one year - as the chop-off is one year shorter, at the end. Unless you added more from time to time as you went along. And how much tax have you been required to pay over those years? Since 1967 - nothing! What's the most important component in building wealth? For most of us, in most circumstances ... time! ole joyful P.S. I used Berkshire Hathaway by way of illustration: I'm not suggesting that that company's shares might be a good investment for your program. And future rates of growth (or loss) may vary substantially from past results. o j